Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
  • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
  • A22C29/00—Processing shellfish or bivalves, e.g. oysters, lobsters; Devices therefor, e.g. claw locks, claw crushers, grading devices; Processing lines
  • A22C29/02—Processing shrimps, lobsters or the like ; Methods or machines for the shelling of shellfish
  • A22C29/021—Cleaning operations on shellfish, e.g. evisceration, brushing
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
  • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
  • A22C29/00—Processing shellfish or bivalves, e.g. oysters, lobsters; Devices therefor, e.g. claw locks, claw crushers, grading devices; Processing lines
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
  • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
  • A22C29/00—Processing shellfish or bivalves, e.g. oysters, lobsters; Devices therefor, e.g. claw locks, claw crushers, grading devices; Processing lines
  • A22C29/02—Processing shrimps, lobsters or the like ; Methods or machines for the shelling of shellfish
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
  • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
  • A23B4/06—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
  • A23B4/062—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus with or without shaping, e.g. in the form of powder, granules or flakes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
  • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
  • A23B4/06—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
  • A23B4/07—Thawing subsequent to freezing
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
  • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
  • A23B4/06—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
  • A23B4/08—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling with addition of chemicals or treatment with chemicals before or during cooling, e.g. in the form of an ice coating or frozen block
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
  • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
  • A23B4/14—Preserving with chemicals not covered by groups A23B4/02 or A23B4/12
  • A23B4/18—Preserving with chemicals not covered by groups A23B4/02 or A23B4/12 in the form of liquids or solids
  • A23B4/20—Organic compounds; Microorganisms; Enzymes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
  • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
  • A23B4/14—Preserving with chemicals not covered by groups A23B4/02 or A23B4/12
  • A23B4/18—Preserving with chemicals not covered by groups A23B4/02 or A23B4/12 in the form of liquids or solids
  • A23B4/24—Inorganic compounds
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
  • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
  • A23B4/26—Apparatus for preserving using liquids ; Methods therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
  • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
  • A23B4/26—Apparatus for preserving using liquids ; Methods therefor
  • A23B4/30—Apparatus for preserving using liquids ; Methods therefor by spraying of liquids

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the general field of installations for treating seafood, in particular crustaceans such as shrimp or langoustines, and even small fish or the like.
• Seafood, such as shrimp or langoustines in particular can undergo different processing operations, such as cooling, freezing, cooking, defrosting, simply warming up ..., between the time of their capture and that of their presentation for sale to the consumer.
• the present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a seafood processing installation of simple design, effectively ensuring a homogeneous quality of processing with at least one suitable processing liquid, without causing deterioration of the products; in addition, the treatment installation according to the invention can be implemented for a plurality of different treatments, and this by simple modification of the treatment liquid.
• the seafood treatment installation in accordance with the present invention comprises - at least one treatment station provided with means for applying a treatment liquid to seafood, and - means for conveying said seafood products, to ensure their transport via in particular said one or more treatment stations.
• At least one of said treatment stations includes means for applying the treatment liquid, the structure of which extends above the means for conveying the products to be treated, which structure is provided with perforations allowing the distribution of said treatment liquid. in the form of spraying, which perforations occupy a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface delimiting the treatment surface of said products.
• the structure ensuring the spraying of the treatment liquid consists of means for supplying the treatment liquid in a sprinkler or spray bowl formed by a delimited bottom element by a wall belt; the bottom element forms a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface, and it is provided with a plurality of perforations allowing a homogeneous spraying of said treatment liquid on the products to be treated.
• the means for supplying treatment liquid advantageously consists of a supply ramp, of generally tubular shape, the section of which extends above the watering bowl is provided with a plurality of orifices.
• This feed ramp ensures an efficient and homogeneous distribution of the treatment liquid in said watering bowl.
• the distance between the spray structure and the support of the products to be treated is at most 25 cm.
• This short distance allows low pressure spraying aimed in particular at limiting the deterioration of the treated products.
• the treatment installation further comprises means for recovering the treatment liquids which extend at least under the treatment surface, but also under the means for conveying the products to be treated.
• these means are connected to the structure for spraying treatment liquid by a pumping system ensuring the recycling of said treatment liquid; the recycling in question is carried out through a filtration system, and it is associated with a means of controlling and managing the temperature of said liquid.
• This particular organization requires a simple permanent addition of treatment liquid, which makes it possible to limit the overall volume of said liquid used to the strict minimum, and also to greatly reduce the problems of pollution when the liquids having been used for draining treatment ; it also allows recovery of calories to optimize the energy balance of the treatment.
• the treatment installation comprises containers in which the products are packaged, which containers comprise a bottom face, and possibly a top face, provided with a plurality of perforations to allow the liquid to run off. treatment on the products to be treated, within said containers, then their evacuation.
• the means of conveying the products consist of a single endless belt; the products can then be placed on this mat either in bulk or indirectly in the aforementioned packaging containers.
• the conveying means may consist of a system of conveyor chains, particularly suitable for the aforementioned containers, which containers are then equipped with means suitable for their attachment to said chain system.
• said system of conveyor chains is arranged so as to form a superposition of strands, the containers then continuing a journey in the form of a round trip on several levels within the installation.
• the processing facility which has just been described can be arranged so as to allow the implementation of any type of processing operation for seafood products by spraying one or more processing liquids.
• the installation is adapted to ensure the destructuring of a block of frozen seafood products, and for this purpose it comprises at least:
• a treatment station by spraying at least one treatment liquid suitable for destructuring said block of seafood products, while maintaining said products in a frozen state
• the installation is adapted to simply thaw frozen seafood products, and it then comprises at least one station for thawing said products by spraying at least one suitable processing liquid.
• the processing installation is suitable for ensuring the cooking of frozen seafood; this installation then comprises at least:
• the installation comprises at least: a cooking station by spraying at least one suitable treatment liquid on the products, and
• a simple cooling or freezing station by spraying at least one appropriate treatment liquid on cooked seafood.
• This particular form of installation can also be used for the preparation of seafood initially in a frozen state.
• the installation comprises at least one freezing station by spraying at least one suitable treatment liquid.
• This freezing station can optionally be associated with a temperature-maintaining or cooling station, of the air-cooling or static refrigerating type, also serving as a zone for draining the products.
• the freezing station, and possibly the drip / cooling station are integrated into at least one insulated enclosure, equipped with fans to homogenize the temperature of the ambient air.
• the products can be subjected to a water treatment to ensure their coating with a thin film of ice, so as to protect them against dehydration and against attacks associated with subsequent storage at negative temperature.
• the aforementioned treatment installations may also comprise at least one additional treatment station with a liquid containing an antioxidant product, of the metabisulfite type for example.
• This antioxidant treatment station can be placed at any suitable location.
• an installation comprising a plurality of successive treatment stations can be used by the operator for the implementation of one or more types of treatment; at least two of said successive treatment stations can then be used to apply the same treatment so as to increase the capacity of the installation.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective representation a treatment installation according to the invention, comprising a treatment station provided with the means for applying the treatment liquid by spraying;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a processing installation according to the invention, suitable for destructuring blocks of frozen seafood;
• FIG. 3 is still a schematic representation of a processing installation according to the invention, here adapted for cooking frozen seafood;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective representation of a freezing installation according to the invention, which installation comprises a freezing station by spraying treatment liquid and a cooling station of the air-cooling type;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective representation of another embodiment of a freezing installation according to the invention, the conveying means here consists of a system of conveyor chains.
• the seafood processing installation shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, comprises - a processing station 1 provided with means 2 for applying a processing liquid to the products (the products to be treated have not been shown), and - a means 3 for conveying the products, here shown in the form of an endless belt.
• any other suitable conveying means 3 can be envisaged for direct “bulk” transport, or indirect transport in particular by means of suitable containers provided with perforations.
• the means 2 for applying the treatment liquid consist of means
• the corresponding watering bowl 5 mainly consists of a bottom element 6 delimited by a wall belt 7; this bottom element 6 forms a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface, and it is provided with a plurality of perforations 8 uniformly or substantially uniformly distributed over its entire surface.
• the recovered liquid circulates to the means for supplying treatment liquid 4 by a system of pumping 10, through a filtration system 11 and a device 12 for controlling and managing the temperature.
• an inlet 13 for treatment liquid is arranged in order to ensure a permanent top-up of this liquid within the installation.
• the treatment liquid flows into the watering bowl 5 from the system or supply means 4; the treatment liquid then forms a uniform layer over the entire upper surface of the bottom element 6 of the watering bowl 5.
• the perforations 8 of the bottom element 6 ensure the distribution of the treatment liquid in the form of sprinkling on the products to be treated which are conveyed by the endless belt 3; the horizontal or substantially horizontal surface occupied by the perforations 8 delimits the treatment surface 15 of the products.
• the dimensions of the bottom element 6 of the watering bowl 5 are adapted so that the width L of the treatment surface 15 is slightly greater than the width I of the conveying means 3, to ensure a optimal and efficient treatment of all transported products; in addition, the length of the bowl 5 is adapted, in particular as a function of the speed of the conveying means 3, according to the desired treatment duration.
• the treatment liquid comes into contact with the products to be treated, coats the latter by trickling, then flows by simple gravity into the recovery member 9.
• the corresponding recycling makes it possible to limit the volume of treatment liquid used for the transformation of the products of interest to its strict minimum, which also makes it possible to limit pollution during the evacuation of the treatment liquid to the sewer; in addition, this recycling optimizes the energy efficiency of the installation.
• the conveying means 3 are of course adapted to allow the flow of liquids in the recovery member 9; for example, the endless belt used can be of the type with perforated bars.
• the relatively small distance h between the spray structure 5, and the conveying means 3 of the products; in this case, the distance h between the bottom element 6 of the watering bowl 5 and the upper strand of the endless belt 3 is preferably of the order of 25 cm at most.
• a minimum distance h limits the impact of the treatment liquid on the products to be treated, which in particular reduces the risk of damage to the latter.
• the installation described above, in relation to FIG. 1, can be implemented for any type of processing operation for seafood, such as crustaceans (shrimps, langoustines ...), or even fish, by an appropriate liquid (water, brine ... possibly supplemented by additives of the antioxidant type, of the coating substance type such as sorbitol, of the anti-bacterial type, or other ...), in particular to ensure their freezing, cooking , cooling, etc.
• This installation can include several identical or similar processing stations juxtaposed, and it can be envisaged to use it for different operations (for example cooking, freezing, etc.), and this according to the needs of the operator.
• the treatment liquid (s) used, and their positive or negative temperature, will depend on the treatment (s) to be applied to said products.
• this installation can be implemented for the application of any other treatment liquid, for example a liquid containing antioxidant products (metabisulfite %) which are known from the skilled person for their action in the prevention of melanosis.
• a liquid containing antioxidant products metalbisulfite
• FIG. 2 A first installation adapted to ensure the destructuring of blocks of frozen seafood is shown in FIG. 2.
• the corresponding destructuring installation comprises a loading station 20 where blocks of frozen seafood 21, here of the frozen shrimp type, are conveyed by any suitable means.
• the products 21 arrive at the loading station 20, in the form of rectangular blocks, essentially comprising shrimps and a certain amount of ice, depending on the freezing process used.
• the corresponding frozen blocks 21 are moved, by the conveying means 3, to a first station 23 where they are sprinkled with a first suitable treatment fluid 23 ′, to individualize said products while maintaining them in a frozen state.
• This station 23 is similar to that described in connection with FIG. 1; it mainly comprises a means 2 for applying the liquid 23 ′, consisting of a means for supplying liquid 4 and a watering bowl 5. After passing over the products 21, the corresponding liquid 23 'is evacuated to a recovery structure
• the treatment liquid 23 ′ consists, for example, of a brine (NaCI solution possibly integrating additional ingredients such as sorbitol or others) at approximately - 5 ° C; this brine 23 ′ allows the ice surrounding the products to melt in order to ensure their individualization, while maintaining said products in a frozen state.
• the application of brine at -5 ° C can be subjected to the products for a period of the order of 2 to 5 minutes.
• the corresponding station 24 here allows the individualized products 21 'to be watered with a second treatment fluid 24', suitable for lowering the temperature of the products in order to optimize their conservation.
• This treatment fluid 24 ′ is preferably a brine at approximately - 20 ° C; the corresponding watering can last approximately 3 minutes.
• the shrimp 21 "are in frozen and individualized form. They can then easily be packaged in packages 25 suitable for their presentation for sale, their storage and / or their transport.
• the destructuring operation implemented by this installation offers the possibility of individualizing products, and in particular seafood, initially frozen in the form of blocks, without interrupting the cold chain; this installation is therefore really interesting in terms of food security.
• the treatment process implemented by this installation does not cause any deterioration of the products during their individualization.
• Figure 3 is a schematic representation of another processing installation according to the invention, here adapted for cooking frozen seafood.
• the corresponding installation comprises a loading station 30 where blocks of frozen products 31 (for example shrimps) are positioned, as described previously in relation to FIG. 2.
• blocks of frozen products 31 for example shrimps
• the corresponding frozen blocks 31 are moved by the conveying means 3 to a first treatment station 33 where they are sprayed with a liquid 33 ′ treatment suitable for their destructuring and thawing.
• This defrosting station 33 is similar to that described above in relation to FIG. 1; it mainly comprises a means 2 for applying the treatment liquid, comprising a means for supplying liquid 4 and a watering bowl 5, a recovery member 9, and a recycling system comprising a pump 10, a filter 11 and a temperature management means 12.
• the treatment liquid 33 ' consists, for example, of water whose temperature is between 25 ° C and 60 ° C; the implementation of the treatment by the application means 2 of the station 33 allows effective and homogeneous thawing and individualization of the products 31 '.
• this station 33 it is possible to juxtapose two or three application means 2, each of said means 2 ensuring the spraying of a treatment liquid at decreasing temperature, depending in particular on the ice content. shrimp buns.
• the thawing station 33 is followed by a cooking station 34 where the thawed shrimp 31 'are treated with a liquid 34' at an appropriate temperature.
• This station 34 is also similar to that described above in relation to FIG. 1; it allows homogeneous watering of the products 31 ′ by the treatment liquid 34 ′, for example water or brine heated to a temperature close to boiling (98 ° C). It will be noted that this cooking liquid can possibly be supplemented with additives, for example aromatic, capable of perfecting the corresponding operation.
• the products 31 are frozen, or possibly simply cooled, at a freezing or cooling station 35 as the case may be.
• This freezing or cooling is carried out by spraying a treatment liquid 35 'to appropriate temperature, always by means of a spraying structure conforming to that shown in Figure 1.
• the treatment liquid 35 ′ can be brine at a temperature of the order of - 20 ° C.
• the temperature of the brine 35 ′ can be between - 5 and - 15 ° C depending on the exposure time.
• the treatment liquid 35 ′ may contain any suitable additive, for example an antioxidant (metabisulfite, etc.), a coating substance (sorbitol, etc.) or even an anti-bacterial product (GDL, etc.). , possibly in association.
• an antioxidant metalbisulfite, etc.
• a coating substance sorbitol, etc.
• an anti-bacterial product GDL, etc.
• the installation may also include one or more stations for washing the products with water, for example just after cooking, this by means of equipment as described in FIG. 1, or by spraying.
• FIG. 4 illustrates yet another processing installation in accordance with the present invention, suitable for freezing seafood.
• the corresponding freezing installation consists of an isothermal cabin 40 comprising a spray freezing station 41 and a draining station 42 under cooling; stations 41 and 42 are separated by a suitable partition 43.
• the conveyor means 45 for the products here consists of a single endless belt, of the openwork type, extending over the entire length of the isothermal cabin 40, so as to pass through the intermediate partition 43 at an opening 46 fitted with a strip curtain; the endless belt 45 is further extended over a short distance beyond each of the ends of said isothermal cabin 40, also passing through openings 46 fitted with strip curtains.
• the aforementioned openings 46 are adapted to allow the passage of the products to be treated, while limiting heat exchanges.
• this single endless belt 45 can consist of a mesh belt, a carpet with transverse slats or bars.
• any carpet structure can be used which has sufficient permeability to the treatment liquids, while providing effective support for the products to be treated arranged "in bulk", or for containers intended to contain these products.
• the endless belt 45 is adapted to transport two containers 47 arranged one next to the other.
• the corresponding containers 47 consist of a receptacle 48 in the form of a tray, allowing the reception of the products to be treated, and of a removable member in the form of a cover 49 making it possible to close said receptacle 48;
• the bottom face of the container 47, that is to say the bottom element of said receptacle 48 (not visible) and the top face of said container 47, that is to say the cover member 49, are each provided with a plurality of orifices or perforations, uniformly or substantially uniformly distributed. All of these perforations allow the treatment liquid to flow into said containers 47, on the products to be treated, during the implementation of the treatment station as described below.
• the treatment station 41 includes a means for applying the treatment liquid in accordance with that described above in relation to FIG. 1.
• a spraying structure 2 for the treatment liquid there is at station 41 a spraying structure 2 for the treatment liquid, and a recovery member 9 connected to said spraying structure 2 by a pumping system 10, this through a system of filtration 11 and an exchanger-cooler device 12.
• the treatment liquid used can be a brine whose temperature is adapted to ensure the freezing of the products.
• the means 2 for applying the treatment liquid consists of the liquid supply means 4, here in the form of a supply ramp, and a spray or sprinkler bowl 5.
• the ramp d the above-mentioned feed 4 has a general tubular conformation, the section of which extends above the watering bowl 5 is provided with a plurality of perforations 50, ensuring efficient distribution of the treatment liquid in said bowl 5.
• the draining station 42 is suitable for collecting the treatment liquids dripping from the containers 47; for this, it can be provided with a recovery member similar to that of the abovementioned treatment station 41.
• the presence of an air-cooling device 51 which allows control of the ambient temperature, and the ventilation of the atmosphere to homogenize this temperature within the equipped station; preferably, the temperature is maintained between - 18 ° C and - 20 ° C.
• the pump 10 is put into operation; the treatment liquid circulates within the exchanger-cooler 12 so as to reach a negative temperature suitable for freezing the products.
• This liquid reaches the level of the supply ramp 4, to flow through the orifices 50 on the bottom element 6 of the spray bowl 5.
• the flow rate at the outlet of the ramp 4 is adapted so as to obtaining a layer of treatment liquid on the upper surface of the bottom element 6, and thus allowing a homogeneous flow by simple gravity through all of the orifices 8.
• the surface of the bottom element 6 of the spray bowl 5 delimits the surface for treating the products, as described above in relation to FIG. 1.
• the containers 47 in which the products to be treated are placed, are conveyed by the endless belt 45 from the front to the rear of the drawing.
• the treatment liquid When the containers 47 pass through the treatment surface, namely under the watering bowl 5, the treatment liquid will flow from the upper surface to the lower surface of these containers 47 so as to freeze the products. The treatment liquid then drips through the two strands (upper and lower) of the single endless belt 45, to be finally recovered in the receiving bowl 9.
• the containers 47 are then moved to the drip station 42, where the treatment liquids continue to drip; the air-cooling device 51 allows the intrinsic temperature of the products to be maintained, or even reduced, so as to be within a range of the order of - 18 ° C to - 20 ° C at the outlet of the installation.
• FIG. 5 represents yet another possible embodiment of a freezing installation according to the invention.
• the corresponding installation comprises an isothermal external enclosure 55 and a conventional air-cooling or refrigerating device (not shown) so as to maintain a negative ambient temperature, for example between - 18 ° C and - 20 ° C.
• the present installation also includes a treatment station substantially similar to that described above in relation to FIG. 1. This treatment station therefore consists of means 2 for applying the treatment liquid, means 9 for recovering this liquid. connected to said application means 2 by a pumping system 10 through a filtration system 11 and a temperature management means 12; the products are loaded into containers 57 and moved by means of a system of conveyor chains 56.
• the conveyor chain system 56 consists of two side chains which are shaped to support and convey the aforementioned containers 57.
• the containers 57 are similar to those described above in relation to FIG. 4. They consist of a receptacle 48 associated with a removable shaped member cover 49, and they are provided with an upper face and a perforated lower face, permeable to the flow of the treatment liquid. These containers 57 also have two lateral rods 58 adapted to hang on the transport chains 56.
• conveyor chains 56 cooperate with a set of wheels 59 arranged so that said chains 56 are arranged to form a superposition of strands 56a , 56b, 56c and 56d; the containers 57 then continue in the form of a round trip on several levels, which makes it possible to limit the horizontal size of the installation.
• the upper strand 56a is disposed between the bottom element 6 of the spray bowl 5 and the upper recovery member 9a; this upper strand 56a is preferably at a distance h of between 10 and 25 cm relative to the bottom element 6 of the spray bowl 5.
• the strand 56b is disposed above the intermediate member 9b; the strand 56c flows over the lower member 56c; finally, the lower strand 56d flows under the lower member 9c.
• the insertion zone 60 at the level of the strand 56a, mainly consists of two entry guides 62, in the form of slides, extending up to indexing wheels 63 ensuring the spacing of the conveyor chains 56 in view of the positioning of the end rods 58 of the containers 57.
• the clearance zone 61 at the level of the strand 56c, comprises two outlet guides 64, also in the form of slides, also ensuring the spacing of the chains 56 to allow the rods 58 to be detached from the containers 57.
• the positioning of the containers on the conveyor system, and their removal, are carried out for example manually.
• the containers 57 are introduced and secured to the conveyor chains 56, at the abovementioned insertion zone 60.
• the containers 57 are conveyed on the strand 56a from the front to the rear of the drawing, in accordance with the representation of FIG. 5; these containers 57 then travel at the level of the treatment surface delimited by the bottom element 6 of the watering bowl 5.
• the products placed in the containers 57 are in a frozen state, in the form of blocks or parallelepiped breads.
• the containers 57 will then circulate successively at the strands 56b and 56c, respectively above the recovery members 9b and 9c, to ensure the recovery of the treatment liquids continuing to drip from said containers 57, this in a cold atmosphere. ventilated.
• the outlet guides 64 of the clearance zone 61 allow the containers 57 to be separated from the conveyor chains
• These containers 57 each contain a block of frozen products; this block can be extracted from the container 57 for example for its packaging in a suitable packaging for its transport, storage and / or presentation for sale.
• the horizontal offset between the various recovery members 9a, 9b and 9c makes it possible to recover all of the treatment liquids, both in the treatment surface and on the rest of the path of the container 57 within the installation, this container 57 being constantly vertical to a recovery member 9.
• the freezing installations in accordance with the invention allow rapid and efficient freezing of the products treated. These installations allow in particular to bring the core temperature of the products to - 20 ° C in less than 6 to 8 minutes depending on the size of the products, which guarantees a good quality of freezing.
• the freezing station is directly followed by a station which makes it possible to coat the products with a thin film of ice (called “glazing” station), itself followed by a deep-freezing station. by air.
• the freezing station in question is a sprinkling station in accordance with that described in connection with FIG. 1; it uses, for example, a brine which makes it possible to bring the products to a temperature of the order of - 18 ° C to - 21 ° C.
• the next station called “glazing" subjects the products to a cold water treatment adapted to ensure their coating with a thin film of ice (the water turns into ice on contact with the product).
• the ice film formed protects the products against dehydration and against attacks due to subsequent storage at negative temperature.
• This coating operation leading to an increase in the temperature of the products is advantageously followed by a reheating phase (around - 18 ° C to - 25 ° C at heart), for example in a air freezing, classic.
• processing installations according to the invention are intended for the implementation of specific processing operations, predefined by the operator.
• the means of conveying the products will be provided at variable speed to allow the speed of movement of the treated products to be adjusted as desired.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Microbiology (AREA)
• Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
• Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
• Processing Of Meat And Fish (AREA)
• General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)
• Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
• Freezing, Cooling And Drying Of Foods (AREA)
• Food Preservation Except Freezing, Refrigeration, And Drying (AREA)
• Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)

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• 2003
  • 2003-05-06 FR FR0305507A patent/FR2854543B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-12-10 BR BR0306012-8A patent/BR0306012A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2004
  • 2004-05-06 DK DK04742656.4T patent/DK1622461T4/da active
  • 2004-05-06 EP EP04742656A patent/EP1622461B2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-05-06 WO PCT/FR2004/001094 patent/WO2004098300A2/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2004-05-06 DE DE602004003236T patent/DE602004003236D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
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  • 2004-05-06 ES ES04742656T patent/ES2276322T5/es not_active Expired - Lifetime

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